Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-05-07
Mound Builders or WhOl
INTERESTING DISCOVERIES In OTSEGO COUNTY-AN
ANCIENT VILLAGE SITE.


ANCIENT VILLAGE SITE.
From the Oneonta Herald, April2S
y very remarkable discovery was brought to
light last week upon the well-knOwn Slade flats at
the junction OF the Charlotte with the SuSque-
HANNA on the south side of the latter stream, at
point some two miles above this village. During
way diverted from the main channel across bench
or ailuylal land rising two or three feet above the
general level of the neighboring bank. The field
having been powed last fan and the soil to the
depth OF two feet or more, consisting mainly OF a
fine aluy1um, a gully two or three rods wide and
as many feet deep to the clay subsoil, was cut
clear across the field for rods, to 'binnacle'
or overflow putting out from the main stream at
some distance below. The current does not ap-
objects OF some weight contained in the soil were
lett behind as the latter filtered away.
For ten days or fortnight the plowed section
was under water. When the flood subsidized Mr.
Slade and his son paid visit TO the place to as
certain the extent OF the damage, when what
was their surprise to note in the bottom OF the
new-made chanhe. many fragments OF rude pot
terry mingled with flint chips, arrow, and spear
points, and similar remains They gathered
many ma ana ene news OF the discover Spreading
sons. The site laid bare by the flood is unq ues-
tlOnabiy that OF an aboriginal village. Alto
gether some 1000 fragments OF pottery have
been taken from a few square rous OF surface
exposed, together with d hundred spear and arrow
polnts-many Of them OF unusual forn-sevcral
flint drills. as many sharpening stones two small
granite axes numerous .'sinhers,' &C. Several
ancient fireplaceS OF river coDbIeS. bedded to-
geJilcr, were UiScIOSPu, IrOIn one OF which peck
OF charcoal fragments was eXhumed. The pot
terry, several pieces OF which show an exterior
surface OF 3 or square inches Is both plain
and Ornamented. the latter in most intricate de-
sign. One fragment shows human face but
straight lines varOusly combined and curious
punclured patterns are the prevailing type.
Rims and edges, being the thckest and least per-
lShable portions, abound in the collections made
The plain pottery Is remarkably hard and we'll
preserved, and in both plain and ornamented the
inside Su ..cc Is in most cases of black color In
strong contrast with the brick-red or chocolate
hue or the exterior.
The TOP soil in the neighborhood abounds in
Indian relics, arrow and spear heads, '.hammer
stones" and the like, but IL contains no sign OF
this pottery. Tradition runs that there was an
Indian village In the locality. But it might We'll
have existed two feet above the level laid bare By
the flood. For there is nothing to prove that the
soil had before been disturbed Tor ages Ii indeed
be said that there can hardly exist that difference
| between the Indians and the mysterious mound
I builders which has been commonly supposed for
The pottery obtained ON the Slade flats last week
/ Is precisely the same as the pottery eXhumed In
! Western mounds.
1t may be remarked In connection with this sub
! Ject that sO-calIed Indian mound" exists on
WaliingS Island not far below this ancient village
site; that there Is another neaI the mouth of the
( OtScgO creek, a third at Sidney, and d fourth in
| the Cnadiia valley.